Sodium Dodecyl Sulphate-polyacrylamide Gel Protein Profile of Red Palm Weevil and Mechanical-wounded Oil Palm Seedlings

Abstract

In this study, we reported the proteins expressed by oil palm seedlings using a one-dimensional sodium dodecyl sulphatepolyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (1D SDS-PAGE) analysis. This study was carried out as a preliminary study on the effects of an invasive palm pest, the Red Palm Weevil (Rhynchophorus ferrugineus) on oil palm. In order to determine whether the trees can differentiate between the weevil (RPW)- and mechanical-inflicted (MW) wounds, proteins of both types of wounds were compared. Treatments were carried out within four time frames: one, two, three and four weeks. For each week, new 12 months old oil palm seedlings were used and cabbage tissue samples were analyzed for their protein content and profile. Protein content was determined using Bradford assay while SDS-PAGE analysis was used to construct the protein profile of the samples. Protein content of MW seedlings gradually increased from week one until week four while for RPW, the proteins significantly increased in week one, decreased in week two and three but then increased again in week four. Thirteen protein bands were newly formed on the gels of RPW while 12 bands were newly formed for MW. Additionally, 19 bands were missing from the profiles of RPW while 3 bands were missing for MW. From the results obtained, it can be concluded that oil palm seedlings triggered different defense and regulatory mechanisms depending on the types of inflicted wound. New and missing proteins observed can be used as potential biomarkers to detect the early infestation of RPW on oil palm. Further analysis will be carried out using 2D gel electrophoresis for better understanding of the mechanisms triggered by the seedlings